The main tasks of the physiotherapist are improving the posture, maintaining the flexibility and muscle tone, making and applying flexible splints and instructing the personnel working with our special needs children.

As our children come from many varied backgrounds, their needs vary greatly. We have under our care children with mental and physical disabilities, those who have suffered from polio, those who are blind and/or deaf and children who have had limbs amputated. Also, sometimes we have serious patients who are either sent by the doctor or who come on their own, mostly after an accident.

The oldest homes (Mexico and Honduras) have fully equipped physical therapy rooms. Thanks to the commitment of several prior colleagues, there are big therapy balls, bars for walking, swings and various other therapy tools to be used. While the facilities and equipment might not be as complete in the other homes, the needs still exist with the children. Creativity and resourcefulness are essential skills for physiotherapists working in any of our homes.

The physiotherapist is often called upon to treat big and small aches and hurts. From a sprained finger, to bony ankles to a post bone fracture treatment to rib contusions, there are always children in need of attention. We provide the children with flexible bandages, mobilize stiff joints and provide care for the best possible rehabilitation and prevention of new injuries. Prevention is often the primary goal of the physiotherapists. In some homes, extensive exams have been performed on the children from an orthopedic point of view in order to diagnose possible weaknesses at a young age and start the treatment as early as possible.

The youngest children of our NPH family also receive their treatment. As a result of former severe malnutrition or AIDS, many of our small children are developmentally delayed. Their physical progress is assessed and exercises prescribed for their caregivers to improve the motor-sensory development.